[Web4lib] I vote for task oriented

[Ryan Hess]

I would agree with Chris based on click analytics from our site which show
that users seem to be task-oriented. We do have some audience-centered
access points, which do get used, but nowhere near the rate of task-oriented
elements like search, browse, a-z lists, etc.

So, if I had to pick one way, it would be task-oriented, but, as on our
site, you can certainly risk a little clutter and cater to your audiences
(undergrads, grads and faculty in our case) too.



M Ryan Hess
Web Services Coordinator
DePaul University
JTR 120, DePaul University, Lincoln Park Campus, 2350 N Kenmore Ave.,
Chicago IL 60614
office: 773-325-7829 | cell:  650-224-7279 |  fax: 773-325-2297  |
mhess8 at depaul.edu 


On 11/29/10 1:57 PM, "Sharon Knieper" <sharonknieper at gmail.com> wrote:

> Chris,
> 
> I want to put in a vote for task oriented as well. Often times when I
> approach a site organized by audience I have to stop and think which
> audience my task is appropriate for and then proceed from that point. Users
> don't usually start with the 'I am __X___' thoughts, they start with 'I am
> trying to do ___X___'. They are scanning the navigation for 'how do I do
> ___X___.'  I hate those situations where I'm not clearly one of the
> identified audiences and I have to decide where my task is located - I
> usually end up looking for a site map or going straight to search. I'm sure
> there are situations where audience based is superior, like when there are
> only a few, clearly, non-overlapping audiences, but in this case my gut
> feeling is that its better to rely primarily on a task based IA and
> supplement with audience based guides. In library/academic settings users
> often have more than 'role' - like the graduate student who is both a
> student researcher and a teacher assistant - and audience based navigation
> can get confusing quick.
> 
> Do you have the opportunity to do some testing with your users? If you do
> this sounds like the perfect opportunity to mock up a few simple prototypes
> and let the data be the judge.
> 
> Sincerely,
> Sharon
> 
> Message: 3
> Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2010 09:03:50 -0500
> From: Adelle Frank <adellefrank at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Web4lib] Academic Library Information Architecture
> To: web4lib at webjunction.org
> Message-ID:
>        <AANLkTi=x7LOhd4ncUezAoXLBSXw4iEt0jf2YPmoRjqSq at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
> 
> Hi, Chris:
> 
> This may go without saying, but I'm going to say it anyway (must be the OCD
> typing).  I think it would make the most sense to have a logical
> architecture for the folder/directory structure (so that it's easier to
> analyze usage, and easier to expand in the future).  This could be a
> combination of task-oriented and content-type (such as a subdirectory
> specifically to contain databases). Regardless, it should be the foundation
> of your site organization, so that each piece of content has one specific
> place to live.
> 
> In my humble opinion, audience navigation is important, but should be
> supplemental (since much of your content will be relevant to multiple
> audiences).
> 
> Just my 2 cents,
> 
> Adelle Frank
> Emory College
> http://adellefrank.com
> 
> On Thu, Nov 25, 2010 at 12:00 PM, <web4lib-request at webjunction.org> wrote:
>> 
>> ------------------------------
>> Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2010 14:24:09 -0600
>> From: c <cbpurcell at gmail.com>
>> Subject: [Web4lib] Academic Library Information Architecture
>> To: web4lib <web4lib at webjunction.org>
>> Message-ID:
>>        
>> <AANLkTinwfGtaqH0JDAp7Npvf1-R-pLGVjad++_fiukE3 at mail.gmail.com<AANLkTinwfGtaqH
>> 0JDAp7Npvf1-R-pLGVjad%2B%2B_fiukE3 at mail.gmail.com>
> <AANLkTinwfGtaqH0JDAp7Npvf1-R-pLGVjad%2B%2B_fiukE3 at mail.gmail.com<AANLkTinwfGt
> aqH0JDAp7Npvf1-R-pLGVjad%252B%252B_fiukE3 at mail.gmail.com>
>> 
>>> 
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>> 
>> My library is gearing up to redesign our library sites and in preparation
>> for that I am trying to gather information on different ways that
> libraries
>> choose to organize their content from an Information Architecture/
>> hierarchical standpoint.
>> 
>> Most library sites seem to approach IA from either a community/user group
>> based mindset, or a task oriented approach.
>> 
>> Task oriented sites seem to focus on what are the overarching tasks for
>> library users and structure their information below those tasks.  These
>> sites tend to present primary choices of  finding materials, deeper
>> research
>> and services & collections.
>> 
>> The community/user group approach initially breaks up information based on
>> which group it is relevant to. It presents visitors with options of
> dealing
>> with content aimed at Graduate Student, Undergraduate, Faculty and
> Visitors
>> and then largely provides a task oriented grouping of information that
> they
>> feel is appropriate to the selected group.
>> 
>> Both approaches commonly include an about us category and a category
>> dealing
>> with ways to get help and contact librarians.
>> 
>> Are there other approaches out there? Has anyone come across any sites
> that
>> have a different fundamental architecture to how they understand and
>> structure the information and resources on their site?
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> Chris Purcell
>> 
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